h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So, on a very packed, heavily delayed train back from work tonight I did at least manage to find myself a seat. Aisle seat, a couple back from the table seat. At which was sat a gentleman in his 50s (I'd guess) who got a macbook air thingy out out and booted it up. Now I'm of the opinion that if you use a computer in a public crowded space you are not expecting any privacy. I won't go out of my way to read emails or anything, but obvious details can't help but be seen. As such I've seen a couple of films (minus sound, of course!) on the way back from work.

But no. This guy launches a file browser and goes into a folder of images which he then proceeds to scan through (he had a woman aged in her late 30s/early 40s with him) and was sort of discussing them with her. I'd guess she was less senior than him from their interaction.

All of which is merely padding to delay the revelation of what he was viewing.
First piccy comes up - seemed to be an x-ray image - possibly a flattened skull image (like the ones they do that scan round your head). And then the next one of someone's face. Neither image seemed, somehow, quite right.

And then we got the mid surgery image. Blood, flesh pulled back, exposed bone, the lot. To be honest, not sure what part of the body it was. Just a lot of, well, meat to my inexperienced eye.
Then some shots of limbs in mid surgery.
Then some more mugshots (presumable post/pre surgery images)
Then some more unidentifiable mid surgery shots.
Then starts flicking back and forth through them discussing with colleague.

You know when there's something you don't want to look at but can't not look? Well, that was me. Not that I'm overly squeamish but I do kinda draw the line at large holes cut into bodies.

It seemed to be some sort of maxillofacial surgery or plastic surgery (since I think there was some limb surgery in there).

Also wondered as to the ethics of this - what if I (or someone else) had recognised those mugshots? Isn't that a bit dubious?

I'd have been fascinated!

Yes, I would think there's a possible confidentiality issue there. I don't think people realise how much is visible from other seats. We haven't got that oriental discretion of ''ignoring' other people's nearby activities or indeed being discreet ourselves. I'm still amazed at what others will do & say on trains.

Ethically very dubious, I'd say. But fascinating.

TRiG.